Uterine compression sutures for postpartum bleeding with uterine atony

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of a new uterine compression suturing technique in reducing postpartum haemorrhage secondary to severe uterine atony. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: University hospital between December 2000 and March 2006. POPULATION: Twenty women with uterine atony and postpartum bleeding that did not react to usual medical management. METHODS: All these women underwent compression suturing of the uterus, in which the anterior and posterior walls of the uterus were attached so as to compress the uterus. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arrest of the bleeding, complications and fertility. RESULTS: Uterine compression suturing was sufficient to stop the bleeding immediately in 95% of the women. None of the women developed complications related to the procedure. All the women recovered normal menstrual cycles. Since uterine compression suturing, eight women have tried to conceive and six (75%) have had a term delivery. CONCLUSION: Uterine compression suturing is a simple conservative procedure to stop postpartum haemorrhage in the case of failure of the usual management. This surgical technique can be performed quickly and does not seem to decrease fertility.